Help us build a better understanding of Tourette's in SA.
We believe that lived experiences are one of the most powerful tools for raising awareness, breaking the stigma and building understanding.
Whether you’re living with Tourette Syndrome (TS) or supporting someone who is, your experiences can help others feel seen, supported, and understood.
We’re inviting you to share what life with TS looks and feels like — in your own words, your own way.
By opening up and speaking out, you’re helping us, someone else.
In South Africa, many people with TS feel overlooked or judged, even though TS is more common than most realise.
No one knows why I do what I do
The everyday battles I go through
No one knows the reasons why I shake
People think it's fake
People think it's just a shiver
But for me it's a tremor
It's not just a tic
It's the sound I make click click
People think it's misbehaving
It's just me fighting
A battle of social anxiety
A battle of insecurity
People say you're a weirdo
People sat you can't go
People say you're naughty
I feel uncomfy
People say you're a distraction
People say you're a disruption
But do they ever ask what I'm feeling
I'm just a innocent human being
With an extraordinary disorder
I am a tourettes syndrome warrior
Written by Lauren Van Heerden
Jy was ses toe die wêreld sag begin praat
in bewegings niemand kon verstaan
oë wat dans sonder rede of maat
‘n lyf wat sy eie pad begin gaan
Ons het gewonder wat dit beteken
maar jy het net vorentoe bly loop
soos iemand wat stilweg weet
die son gaan weer op
Jy is meer as die storms in jou lyf
meer as die dae wat swaar voel en gly
jy is ‘n lig wat niemand kan breek
‘n vlam wat bly, al waai dit so vrees
En jy hou aan, jy staan weer op
elke keer, maak nie saak hoe dit klop
soos sterre wat stil aanhou brand
hou jy vas… jy hou aan
Op die hokkieveld hardloop jy vry
met vuur wat deur jou are gaan
en op die krieketveld staan jy so stil
met fokus wat niemand kan slaan
Jy lag wanneer die wêreld lig voel
die oomblikke wat alles laat rus
waar jy net kind kan wees vir ‘n rukkie
waar alles net reg is
En as die nag te hard raak vir jou
en jou lyf nie wil luister nie
onthou net wie jy werklik is
meer as wat mense kan sien
God sien jou, Hy het jou gemaak
Hy ken elke deel van jou hart
daar is ‘n lig diep binne jou
wat geen storm ooit kan vat
Jy lees getalle soos ander mense drome
jou kop is skerp, jou hart nog meer
jy is sterker as elke een se woorde
wat probeer om jou te breek
Jy is meer as die storms in jou lyf
meer as die dae wat swaar voel en gly
jy is ‘n lig wat niemand kan breek
‘n vlam wat bly
En jy hou aan, jy staan weer op
elke keer, maak nie saak hoe dit klop
soos sterre wat nooit ophou brand
my kind… jy hou aan
Written by Aliza, Dedicated to My Son
I struggled with Tourette’s Syndrome since I was 6 years old. I had my first symptoms of Tourette’s Syndrome at 3 years old – it’s called tics. I was constantly asked by peers and classmates at school, “Why are you doing that?” and got bullied by others, who had told me to “stop doing those weird things” that I was doing... Even though I am still struggling with the psychological effects that my childhood and upbringing with Tourette’s Syndrome has had on me on a daily basis. I am currently studying counseling, to help others who are going through anything traumatic in life and to overcome it.
I choose to not let it affect me.
I choose to be happy.
I choose to fight for healthy friendships and relationships instead of fighting against and pushing them away.
I choose to be kind to others as I know what it’s like to be treated unkindly.
I choose to accept others for their differences and disabilities as I know what it feels like to be unaccepted by others.
I choose to be unjudgemental of other people as I know how it feels to be judged by others for something that I had no control over.
I choose to help others with their problems because I know what it’s like to feel helped and supported when in a dark time.
I choose to make an effort with others as I know how it feels when people had made an effort with me.
I choose to love unconditionally, because I know how far unconditional love has got me in my life.
I choose to control my own life now as I know how it feels to have no control over my life.
I choose to never leave someone in a difficult time as I know the feeling of pain when people leave when you need them the most.
I choose to be cautious with my words as I know the effect words can have on a person.
I choose to admit when I am wrong and to apologize as I know how it feels to be wrong done by and hurt by others with no remorse from their side.
I choose to treat every individual with empathy as I know how it feels to be misunderstood and alone.
Life is a choice, don’t judge, don’t make accusations before you fully make an effort to understand another’s story.
Written by Kate Taylor Hirsch
Send your story, experience, quote, song, poem, drawing, or video clip to info@tourettesa.org
If you’re sharing someone else’s story (like a child, family member, colleague or friend), please get their permission first.
Let’s create a space where real experiences are heard, shared, and honoured with dignity and respect.
If you want to Volunteer for Tourette SA - Apply here
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